Ed Harris, Sonequa Martin-Green, & Natalie Morales Talk My Dead Friend Zoe

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In a conversation with ComingSoon, actors Ed Harris, Sonequa Martin-Green, and Natalie Morales shared insights about their roles in the poignant comedy-drama “My Dead Friend Zoe,” which explores the impact of war. They touched upon the film’s characters, collaborating with esteemed actor Morgan Freeman, among other topics. The movie, helmed by director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, is now showing in cinemas from today onwards.

The Quirky Misadventures of Merit: A Dark Comedy Drama”

This story revolves around Merit, an Army veteran from the U.S. who has had a strained relationship with her family due to her close bond with her deceased army buddy Zoe. Despite the efforts of her VA group therapist, her mother’s firm guidance, and the unexpected romantic interest, Merit remains shielded by her unique, dysfunctional friendship with Zoe from the outside world.

However, when Merit’s estranged grandfather, living in the family’s ancestral lake house, starts showing signs of confusion, she is faced with a challenge: helping him despite his stubborn refusal for aid. This narrative delves into the intricacies of friendship, family discord, and the diverse ways we cope with loss.

Tyler Treese: Ed, your character Dale seems to be struggling after the passing of his wife. He has a hot temper, is a Vietnam veteran, and is dealing with a great deal of change in his life. What aspects of this film and this role specifically resonated with you that helped shape your performance?

Ed Harris: Essentially, what you’ve pointed out resonates with me. He’s currently experiencing a period of significant life transitions, and he’s unsure about how to navigate these changes. His granddaughter’s visit, though, brings about an unexpected shift. It forces him to confront issues that he’s previously avoided.

It seems he’s found no other option but to acknowledge this truth: His loved ones matter greatly to him, something he hadn’t given much thought before. Engrossed in his thoughts and cut off from others, he’s been grumpy lately. [Laughs]

Hey Sonequa, I was wondering if you could tell me about acting alongside Morgan Freeman in some scenes. He’s such an esteemed actor. What’s it like working with him as a scene partner?

Sonequa Martin-Green: He’s extraordinary. Let me tell you, we collaborated with some true icons, if you know what I mean? To put it briefly, they are packed with so much experience, richness, depth, and variety. They are essentially showering you with so much life that all you can do is try your best to keep up [laughs] and respond in kind. It struck me rather quickly that working with them is like a fantastic game of tennis…

Natalie Morales: … With a really good tennis player, but they bring a hundred balls.

Martin-Green: Yes, indeed. With just one opportunity, he aims to connect with all the balls coming his way, much like Morgan does. This is a testament to their ability to excel under pressure. I feel incredibly fortunate that we were given the chance to collaborate with them. The feeling is mutual, I assume.

Hey Natalie, regarding your character Zoe, the story makes it clear that she’s deceased. When portraying the flashback scenes versus the PTSD-induced visualizations, did you approach them differently since they seem to embody distinct personalities? These scenes appear to present two slightly different characters.

Morales: Absolutely, you know, I certainly wished [laughs]. That was my aim. I believe that the PTSD symptoms displayed by her needed to remain her, correct? Since it had to be someone who was known to offer comfort and a reason for their presence. It couldn’t be an entirely new being, but it had to show hints of, “This isn’t truly Zoe.” That’s what I attempted to subtly convey whenever I could and when it seemed appropriate to play the manipulative guilt-inducing character.

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2025-03-01 00:40